Chances are, if you have kids you’ve participated in a trunk or treat. At the very least you’ve heard of them! If you’re looking for a unique and family-friendly Halloween event that takes the fear out of trick-or-treating while keeping all the fun, look no further than a trunk or treat! For those unfamiliar, this growing tradition has become a favorite for communities, schools, and churches across the country. But what exactly is a trunk or treat, and how can you easily put one together? Whether you’re a parent planning your first event or just want some fresh trunk or treat decor ideas, I’ve got you covered!
what is a trunk or treat?
A trunk or treat is a creative and safe alternative to traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. Some of the earliest mentions are from the mid-1990s. Personally, I think they probably go further back than that because I remember attending church trunk or treats when I was a young kid. Families and community members gather in a designated parking lot, like at a church, school, or community center. Here participants decorate the trunks of their cars and hand out candy from the back. Instead of kids running around different neighborhoods, they move from trunk to trunk, collecting goodies, playing games, and munching on treats.
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If you live in a rural area, organized trunk or treats are also a great option for those that might live too far away from neighbors. In our nearby town of Foresthill where many residents live up long driveways or outside of town, they close down Main Street every year for an epic trunk or treat. Any resident who wants to participate gets there early enough to set up. It is a great way to get to know your neighbors in a fun and controlled environment!
why trunk or treats have been gaining popularity
There are plenty of reasons why trunk or treat events are becoming more popular each year. Here are just a few:
- Safety: With trunks gathered in one area, you don’t have to worry about busy streets or poorly lit neighborhoods.
- Community Bonding: It’s a great way for families to meet other families, all while their kids have fun.
- Creative Fun: Decorating a trunk can be just as much fun as dressing up in a costume, and there’s so much room for creativity!
- Perfect for Younger Kids: For toddlers or preschoolers, walking through a whole neighborhood can be overwhelming. A smaller, more controlled environment allows them to enjoy Halloween without getting too tired or overwhelmed.
planning your trunk or treat: tips
If you’re thinking about organizing a trunk or treat in your community, here are some simple tips to make it a spooky success:
1. Choose the Right Location
A safe, large parking lot is the perfect spot. Make sure it’s somewhere families feel comfortable gathering, such as a local school, church, or community center. The area should have enough space for all participating cars and plenty of room for kids to walk around safely. Also consider the layout of the parking lot. Some cars may need to leave early–is there a way for them to do so without driving through the trick or treating area?
2. Set the Date and Time
Halloween night might be the go-to, but depending on your community, a weekend event might work better. Try to schedule it in the late afternoon or early evening so younger kids can join before it gets too dark. Our local church usually tries to organize their event for the weekend before Halloween.
3. Get Volunteers
A successful trunk or treat needs volunteers! Have people sign up to decorate their trunks, pass out candy, help with parking, and run any extra activities like games or photo booths. The more helpers you have, the smoother everything will run. Knowing ahead of time how many cars are planning to come with candy also helps you plan just in case you need to call in reinforcements!
planning your trunk or treat: ideas for decorating
One of the most fun parts of a trunk or treat is decorating your car’s trunk! You definitely don’t need to go all-out. However, doing at least a little decorating can really add to the fun. Whether you go for something simple or something more elaborate, here are some fun and easy trunk or treat ideas to inspire you. I also have a link to my Amazon shop with some great trunk or treat props!
1. Classic Halloween Themes
You can’t go wrong with traditional Halloween vibes. Think spooky and fun:
- Haunted House: Decorate your trunk like the entrance to a haunted house, complete with spider webs, hanging bats, and eerie lighting.
- Pumpkin Patch: Fill your trunk with pumpkins of all sizes, add some hay bales, and throw in a few scarecrows to complete the look.
- Monster Mash: Bring Frankenstein, Dracula, and the mummy to life by turning your trunk into a monster hangout!
2. Movie or TV Show Themes
Channeling a favorite movie or TV show is always a hit, especially if kids can recognize the characters or scenes.
- Harry Potter: Transform your trunk into the magical world of Hogwarts. Add a sorting hat, cauldrons, and maybe even a few floating candles! We have done this a couple times and it’s always so fun!
- Toy Story: Use beloved characters like Woody, Buzz, and Jessie to bring your trunk to life. Don’t forget the toy props and oversized blocks made from cardboard boxes for that perfect “toy” effect.
- Frozen: Create a winter wonderland with Olaf, snowflakes, and sparkling lights to make your trunk icy-cool.
Check out this fun last-minute trunk or treat idea from Alia at Party Like a Cherry!
3. Interactive Trunks
Kids love when they can do more than just collect candy—make your trunk interactive with games or photo ops! It’s always fun when a car or two does this, plus it makes the trick or treating take longer so the kids don’t just rush through!
- Fishing for Candy: Set up a fishing game where kids can “catch” their candy using a small pole with a magnet or hook at the end.
- Ring Toss: Add a carnival twist by creating a ring toss game with spooky targets like skeletons or witch hats. Alternatively, we’ve brought a corn hole game a few years. Don’t worry–kids always get candy whether or not they get their bean bag in.
- Photo Booth: Turn your trunk into a mini photo booth complete with Halloween-themed props, so kids can pose and parents can snap fun pictures. Don’t forget lighting if your trunk or treat is after dark!
4. Animal-Themed Trunks
Who doesn’t love animals? Turn your car into a jungle, zoo, or barnyard scene.
- Under the Sea: Fill your trunk with sea creatures like fish, starfish, and seaweed. Don’t forget the blue fabric to give that ocean effect! A bubble machine would be another fun feature to add.
- Farmyard Fun: Create a barnyard scene with farm animals like cows, pigs, and chickens. Use stuffed animals and hay bales for an authentic touch. Or maybe you live in a rural area and can bring a few real animals?
- Dinosaur World: Add some inflatable dinosaurs, and boom—you’re back in the Jurassic era! Use faux plants and rocks to create a prehistoric jungle.
trunk or treat ideas for a successful event
To make your trunk or treat event a hit, here are a few extra tips to keep in mind:
1. Don’t Forget Lighting
Since trunk or treats often take place in the evening, make sure your trunk has enough lighting to keep everything visible but still spooky. Battery-operated candles, lanterns, or string lights are all great options. I bought some great battery-operated LED light strips that work great each year. Last year we also brought our propane fire pit. We had to be extra careful with the little ones around, but it was nice for extra light and warmth on a chilly evening!
2. Be Allergy-Aware
Offer non-candy treats or allergy-friendly options, like small toys, stickers, or glow sticks. Consider having a sign indicating you have allergy-safe options to help parents out, or put them in a teal plastic pumpkin. I always like to have at least one non-candy option. Often these items are some of the kids favorites! Check out some of my non-candy Halloween treat ideas by clicking here.
3. Dress the Part
Encourage all participants, whether they’re decorating a trunk or not, to dress up in their Halloween best! Coordinating your costume with your trunk’s theme adds an extra level of fun. We usually try to coordinate with our trunk in some way but it’s not always feasible.
4. Add Music
Set the spooky mood with some Halloween tunes. Whether it’s the “Monster Mash” or the “Ghostbusters” theme song, a little music can add to the festive vibe and keep everyone entertained. Just make sure that the music is family-friendly!
Have you ever been to a trunk or treat before?
